Antirattler device for windows and the like



June 19, 1945. E. c. LYONS 2,378,490

ANTIRA'ITLER DEVICE FOR WINDOWS AND THE LiKE Filed March 18, 1944 2y INVENTOR.

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- My present invention a window shade clamp invention embodies I Patented June 19, 1945 OFFICE ANTmAT'rLER DEVICE FOR WINDOWS I AND THE LIKE Ernest o. Lyons, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application March 18, 1944, Serial No. 527,371

' 2 Claims.

My present invention relates to antirattler devices. for windows and the like and aims to provide certain improvements therein. More parti- 'cularly,

it relates to such deviceswhich are'also suitable-for and intended to serve as clamps for drawn window shades, either independently of or in conjunction with-their use as window antirattler devices.

In the use and operation of slidable windows, a looseness or play frequently develops between the window sashes and'the window frame or casif not remedied, gives ris in windy weather to vibration and rattling of the window sashes and the attendant annoyance and well known objections thereto. To remedy such conditions when they develop, various devices have been proposed, but so far as I am aware all of these prior devices have been objectionable in one'respect or another. Many had to be permanently aflixed to the window sash, thus detracting from. the appearance thereof; others have been capable of taking care of but limited play between the window frame and sash, while still others have been difficult of manipulation and have caused marring of the paintedsurface-of the window sashes.

overcomes the foregoin objections by providing devices of the character described which are simple in construction, practically fool-proof in operation, and which possess the added feature of being adapted to serve as to prevent flapping of a window shade when drawn over a partially open Window. In its underlying concept my present a device which is preferably not permanently attached to either the window sash or to the window frame and which is so formed as to provide simple manipulative engagement by the fingers of a person desiring to apply the device into operative position or to remove the same from such position, without danger of scratching or marring the surface finish of either the window sash or the window frame.

More specifically, the devices according to my invention each has a portion with a feathered end adapted to be inserted between the window sash and the window frame, to the first portion as to provide a bracing or wedging action between said sash and window frame when the device is applied in operative relation thereto. The construction and operation of my improvements will be better understood from the detailed description which follows,'when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation for one form of antirattler device according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is'a front elevation of a portion of a window sash and window frame with the device of Fig. 1 applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the plane of the line 33 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation "of a portion of a win-' dow frame, sashes and a window shade, with another embodiment of my invention applied thereto and illustrating how the device may operate to simultaneously hold a sash against rattling and a window shade against flapping.

Fig. 5'is a side elevationof the antirattler device shown in Fig. 4, the broken line showing the relative position of one of the'arms, when gripped for application into operative position.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of -a portion of a window sash and frame, with a still further emand a portion so related hard brass, synthetic bodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the antirattler device shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the antirattler device shown in'Fig. '7. and the manner of manipulative engagement thereof.

Fig. 9 isa section along the broken line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Referring first to Figs. 1' to 3 of the drawing, the antirattler device V II] is' preferably formed from a single piece of resilient material such as plastic resin or the like, and consists of aflat portion H having a feathered end l2 adapted to be inserted in the limited space between a window sash l3 and a window frame 14', a substantially semi-circular portion l5 longitudinally spaced from the feathered end adapted to be gripped by the thumb and forefinger, and a portion I6 extending from .one end of the semicircular portion and reversely curved with respect thereto, adapted to bear against the window sash laterally of the window frame, said sashbearing portion normally extending across the plane of the fiat portion. Preferably the semicircular portion IE is made of asize to accommodate the forefinger of an operator in the act of gripping and applying the device into operative position on a window. In view of the resiliency of the device l0 and the fact that the reversely curved portion extends across the plane of the flat portion In, it will be evident that when the feathered end is inserted in the limited space between a window sash and a window frame, and the reversely curved portion is in engagement with the sash, the device will provide a bracing or wedging action between said sash and window frame.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the antirattler device I! is likewise preferably, made from a single piece of resilient material which is bent back upon itself intermediate its ends to provide a pair of arms 18 and I9 joined together at 20, which end is preferably feathered for easy insertion between the window sash and window frame. The arms l8 and 19 are reversely curved, and at their free ends are bent to provide engaging portions 2| and 22, respectively adapted to be gripped by the thumb and forefinger of an operator. The arms I8 and is are movable relatively to each other as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 5 and, owing to the resiliency of the material from which the device is made, are normally urged apart so as to incline said arms to one another to form a resilient wedge. grasp the engaging portions 2| and 22 between the thumb and forefinger and, while applying pressure thereto, to hold the arms I 8 and I9 relatively close together will then insert the feathered end 20 into the space between a window sash and a window frame and then release the hold on said arms, whereupon, owing to the resiliency of the material tending to spread the arms apart, they will so move and provide a bracing or wedging action between the sash and window frame. In view of the curvature of the arm IS the surface thereof will not be moved along the window sash in contact therewith and thereby mar the surface finish of the sash, for it will be apparent that, upon releasing the grip upon the engaging portions 2| and 22, the shoulder 23 on the arm IE will bear against the window sash laterally of the window frame to provide a base support for the device.

In Figs. 6 to 9 of the drawing I have shown still another embodiment of my invention, wherein the bracing or wedging action of the antirattler device is not due to the inherent resiliency of the material, but rather to the force of separate spring means forming part of the device. In said figures the antirattler device 24 consists of a pair of relatively movable members 25, 26, and a leafspring 21. The member 25, which is substantially Z-shape in form, has a feathered end 28 adapted to be inserted in the window sash and a window frame, and the member 26 is hingedly connected at one end thereof to the member 25, preferably slightly below one angle 29 of the 2. Any type of hinged connection between the parts 25 and I have herein shown a novel form of hinge still permitting hinged movement between the members 25 and 26. The spring 21 as herein shown is a substantially U- Because of the inherent resiliency of the spring it will be apparent that it exerts a force against the hinged member In the use of this device an operator will space between a and 26 may be employed,

' and member 26.

26 normally tending to provide a dihedral angle 33 between the feathered portion of members 25 The ends of the members 25 and 26 remote from the hinged connection are preferably bent, as shown at 34 and 35, respectively, to provide finger-engageable portions whereby, when grasped by an operator and pressure is applied thereto, will overcome the tension of the spring 21 to bring the member 26 and the insertable end portion of the member 25 into substantial alignment, as best shown in Fig. 8, in which position the feathered end 28 of the member 25 may be inserted in the space between the a window sash and window frame without danger of marring the finish thereof. Upon releasing the pressure on the finger-engaging portions of the device the spring will force the member 26 outwardly so that the sash-engaging portion 36 thereon will engage the window sash and, in cooperation with the member 25, will provide the Wedging action between it and the window frame.

Considering the three embodiments of my invention hereinbefore described, it will be apparent-that the first embodiment is primarily intended for taking up the play between a sash and a window frame where such play is but very limited; in the second embodiment, play of a somewhat greater magnitude can be taken up; while in the third embodiment, play in excess of a quarter of an inch may be effectively taken care of. It will be understood, however, that the embodiments shown in Figs. 5 to 9 can also take care of very limited play.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the second embodiment of my invention as also engaging over the end strip of a drawn window shade so as to prevent flapping of the shade when drawn over an open window. It will be apparent, however, that each of the embodiments disclosed is capable of such use, either for the purpose of preventing flapping of the window shade, or of simultaneously preventing rattling of the window sash and flapping of the window shade.

The various embodiments hereinbefore described while being illustrative of the concept without departing as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiments of my invention disclosed in Figs. 4 to 9 hereof have been divided out of this application and form the subject matter in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 571,794, filed January 8, 1945.

W'hat I claim is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a portion having a feathered end adapted to be inserted in the limited space between a normally extending portion.

' ERNEST o. Lyons, 

